OWP
Recycled Wire Star Ornament
Recycled Wire Star Ornament
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Twinkle, twinkle little star... Recreate the starry night with a festive recycled silver star ornament, a bright idea for your holiday tree, wreath or as year-round window decoration. These earthfriendly designs have been handmade using recycled wire and beads by the artisans at Mohd Israil's workshop near Moradabad, India.
- 3D ornament measures 6" high x 6" wide
- Available in Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange and Clear
Handmade and fair trade imported from India.
This item was handmade in India in a workshop sponsored by Noah’s Ark, an NGO that offers funding for raw materials, machines and workshop repairs to 100 artisan groups across India. In exchange for assistance, workshops must prove that all employees are paid fair wages for their products and work in safe and clean conditions. Noah's Ark also offers free classes in capacity building to its network of 600 artisans, a rigorous quality control check, and runs education and water sanitation projects to benefit the artisans’ children and the rest of the community. The company has established 20 new workshops in the past 15 years, and all employees are paid 10-15% above the local rate.
Noah’s Ark was founded by Mr. Samuel Masih in 1986 back before anyone was familiar with the concept of “Fair Trade.” A businessman from Moradabad, India, Masih observed his other business associates were taking a personal commission from the local metalworking artisans, on top of paying them very low wages for their work. This led to a distrustful and exploitative work environment, and inspired Masih to create a more collaborative environment based on trust and mutual respect.
After two difficult years, Samuel explained his objectives to Mrs. Sullivan of Sullivan Florist in the United 
States, who immediately placed an order for US$ 70,000. This led to collaborations with other international companies, including Tear Fund, Artisanat-SEL, Goed Werk, TEAM and Oxfam Australia. Today, the company produces a US $1.5 million in exports and funds Noah's handicrafts and Welfare society, an artisan association created in 2000 to promote artisan welfare, capacity building, childhood education and social work.
About the Artisans
About the Artisans
Marisol Medina used her creativity and love for animals to craft handmade wildlife creatures. She began her work with wire and cotton in Tabio, a small village 60kms from Bogotá in Colombia. Starting with readily available raw materials, and struggling through various challenges typical of a small business/enterprise, Marisol soon enhanced her techniques and the business as the demand for the product grew in the market. She began with participating at the annual national fair which takes place in Bogotá once every year. This is where Marisol was introduced to her first set of wholesale and retail clients.
Because of insufficient orders and a slow business, her workshop initially supported the artisans only for about 3 months. Piel Acida, a Bogotá-based organization that works with artisans from all over Colombia, showed keen interest in supporting Marisol’s cotton and wire animal enterprise. They provided support in all aspects to Marisol and her team. These products have been displayed and sold at various international trade shows such as the ones in New York and Frankfurt.
Marisol’s enterprise has meant much more than the enhancement of her skill and business – it has been a steady source of income for tens of artisans from the Tabio countryside. Thanks to organizations like Piel Acida, these artisans now have a consistent source of income and they also feel a distinct sense of empowerment.
Marisol is happy to see the growth of her small artistic talent into an enterprise. The Tabio Mountains have transformed her from an ordinary employee at a plastic factory to an independent entrepreneur. Today, her little workshop and the women involved have a brighter future.
Materials
Materials
Dimensions
Dimensions
Care information
Care information
